The 36-Hour Day
with Amy Urquhart
I’m Amy and I’ve spent the last three years trying to strike that perfect balance between being a wife, mom and professional career woman. I’ve decided that I’ll never perfect the art of “having it all”, but this blog is a chronicle of my attempts to continue to do so. I’m a blogger (my personal blog about Canadian home life is Hearts into Home), gardener, college instructor, wife to Graham and mom to Nate. If you’re also a working mom who finds there just aren’t enough hours in the day, I hope you’ll enjoy this column!
Read her blog at Hearts into Home.
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Things I’ve realized recently, in no particular order:
1. I actually like picking up the clutter and wiping down the tables when I volunteer in my youngest daughter’s kindergarten classroom. But I’m overwhelmed by the idea of doing it consistently in my own home.
2. I always thought I loved nightgowns, but I don’t. I like having them, and lounging around in them, but not sleeping in them.
3. Sometimes, I’m so focused on the daily minutiae of raising my kids — must make dinner, do laundry, dig up money for field trip, find inhaler, wrap birthday presents, set up playdates, get to soccer practice, etc. — that I forget that I’m supposed to be focused on the long-term — that is, teaching them how to navigate life.
4. I need to find a better way to manage my to-do list. I’ve been making “have-done” lists more than ever because my to-do lists make my eyes twitch, they’re so long and filled with impossible-to-do-in-a-day things.
5. Even though I work from home, I’m still scrambling at 5:30 to pick up the kids, clean up the house, and get dinner on the table at a decent hour. Why is that?
What have you realized about yourself lately?
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I’ve realized that as much as I hate being pushed, I kinda need it at times, since my self-discipline sucks. Really want to fix that, but I can’t seem to discipline myself to . . . .
I’ve realized that ageing is stronger than my will is, sometimes.
I’ve realized that nobody (including me) will care if I accomplish nothing “important” by the time I die.
I’ve realized that most of what I read on the internet is intended to tick me off for no good reason, and that I’m a total sucker for that. (Getting better, though.)
I’ve realized that “the best plans oft go awry” also applies to good financial planning - and there’s nothing I can do about that.
Probably 100 more important things should go here, but I’ve realized that my memory isn’t what it used to be . . . .
SKL | April 16th, 2011 at 12:47 pm
OMG! SOOOOO TRUE OF MY LIFE AS WELL!!!!!!!!!
isabel marani | April 18th, 2011 at 12:21 pm
SKL, the point about accomplishment is such a good one. “Important” is relative and personal, isn’t it? Putting it in quotes really made me think. Thank you!
Isabel, I’m glad you could relate!
Lylah | April 18th, 2011 at 12:30 pm
When you find out how to manage that To-Do List, please post about it!
el-e-e | April 18th, 2011 at 2:50 pm
@SKL…I am your cloned sister.
Barb | April 19th, 2011 at 2:02 am
so so true! i am much more inspired and happy to do something for someone else than i am for myself, most of the time. Though i do get a bizzare joy out of teaching my son to do something for himself - and then seeing him all excited he can do it! (who knew putting clothes in a hamper could be so much fun?)
sooo with you on nightgowns! too much tangled fabric for sleep! though not sure my yogapants and tshirt are much better.
To do lists… i am a crazy person with to do lists. i write them and prioritize them - ‘have to get done’ items and ‘nice to get done’ because i try to be realistic and well, i need sleep. my favorite is to delegate the tasks to others
kate | April 20th, 2011 at 11:56 am
I really struggle with #3. I am easily distracted by all the clutter and list of chores that I have to keep reminding myself to stop and focus on what really matters…..quality time.
Lynn | June 2nd, 2011 at 11:43 am